Callaway Chrome Soft Vs. Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls Comparison Overview
What’s really in a name? There are a lot of balls that claim to be “soft” but in our considerable experience, soft can mean many things – especially when you are talking about golf balls manufacturers.
Some manufacturers use the term pretty liberally while others are quite literal when they hype a ball as “soft.” Today, we are going to be taking at golf balls that exemplify both marketing philosophies.
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls Overview
When Callaway says soft, they mean soft. The Chrome Soft balls have a compression rating of 66 which is lower than the Srixon Soft Feel balls.
What we really like about these balls is that they occupy a nice middle ground between soft and super soft.
In the end, what that means in a practical sense is that they will allow slower swing players to drive as long as faster swing speed players.
And for fast swing speed players, you don’t lose much distance at all with the Chrome Soft balls. They give a nice thud off the driver face while delivering good feedback.
Both fast and moderate swing speed players should expect distances in the range of 220-260 yards off the tee.
The spin rate off the tee is nice and low but picks up in the mid irons which is right where you want it. Around the green, better players will appreciate the urethane cover.
Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls Overview
The Srixon Soft Feel balls have a compression rating of 71 and you can feel the difference in firmness when compared to the Chrome Soft balls.
The Srixon Soft Feel balls are an example of a manufacturer taking liberties with the term “soft.”
While the Srixon Soft Feel balls certainly feel softer than tour-grade or even premium balls; the Chrome Soft balls had a softer overall feel.
However, the Srixon Soft Feel balls perform well off the tee for high handicappers as they sport a 2-piece design that minimizes spin on drives.
The problem is that the same design feature keeps spin down with all your clubs. This means very little control with your wedges and short irons.
The Callaway Chrome Soft balls will be the better choice if you actually prioritize soft feel while the Srixon Soft Feel balls will be better for players looking for adequate performance off the tee.
Srixon Soft Feel Quick Facts
Compression: 60
Cover Material: Ionomer
How Many Pieces: 2
Core Material: Gradational core
Dimple Type: 338 Speed Dimple Pattern
Spin Level: Low long-game spin
Best Suited for: High handicappers looking for more distance off the tee
Callaway Chrome Soft Quick Facts
Compression: 65
Cover Material: Urethane
How Many Pieces: 3
Core Material: Graphene
Dimple Type: Hexagonal (332)
Spin Level: Low long-game spin, high short-game spin
Best Suited For: High to mid handicappers
Performance Off the Tee
The Srixon Soft Feel balls performed very well off the tee, yielding our testers an average drive length of about 250 yards.
Performance from the Rough
This is where we were pleasantly surprised with the Srixon Soft Feel balls.
They have an impressive launch angle even if you aren’t really that great at being angle to work the ball.
This helps not only in the rough; but when you need to maximize carry distance and get over hazards and trees.
Performance from the Fairway
Again, the easy launch of these balls will be a great asset with your mid-irons off the deck.
Don’t expect a lot of spin from your shorter irons though.
Performance Off the Tee
The faster testers in our party were getting about 245 yards while the slower swing speed testers were getting about the same.
Performance from the Rough
Scooping the ball up and even spinning as you may need to was surprisingly easy with these balls.
Performance from the Fairway
We actually really liked the way these balls felt against our irons and hybrids.
The only problem was that the launch remained relatively high even when we weren’t trying.
Srixon Soft Feel Selling Points
- Substantial feel
- Still pretty soft
- Great for high handicappers
- Good launch angles
- Very affordable
- Good ball speed
Srixon Soft Feel Cons
- Low short game spin
- Not great for faster swing speed players
- Not very durable
- Lacking help with roll
Callaway Chrome Soft Selling Points
- Great for beginners and intermediates
- Urethane cover
- 3-piece construction
- Decent short-game control
- Good side spin with short irons
- High launch off the deck
Callaway Chrome Soft Cons
- Not great for low handicappers
- Lacking workability with irons
- Launches high in all situations
- A but unstable
Who are the Srixon Soft Feel Balls for?
These balls will work great for any high handicapper who wants to balance out the softness of their balls but still prioritize driver distance.
We really liked the fact that the Srixon Soft Feel balls were soft without feeling insubstantial. There is some concern about their durability; but that’s to be expected from a distance ball at this price point.
How are they with Short Irons?
While they are certainly lacking side spin and overall short-game control, the high launch will definitely be an advantage with your short irons and your wedges.
It’s easy to pop ‘em high and hang on to fast greens.
On the Green
You kind of have to strike them harder than you normally would with other balls to get the roll you need on longer putts.
Overall Rating: 93/100
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Who are the Callaway Chrome Soft Balls for?
The Chrome Soft balls partially live up to their hype by being a viable option for mid to high handicappers.
The compression isn’t low enough to match the distance you would get if your swing speed was in the “fast” territory.
How are they with Short Irons?
The great thing about these balls is the urethane cover and the 3-piece construction which allows for a good amount of greenside spin control. They definitely perform above their class with short irons.
On the Green
The Chrome Soft balls were a little hard to check on fast greens.
Overall Rating: 96/100
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